IMF Leads Cleanliness Drive in Mumbai to Mark 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission's Impact

The India Minorities Foundation has planned, in association with religious leaders and volunteers, to undertake a massive cleanliness drive at Juhu Beach with a grand ceremony to mark the completion of ten years of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The event is part of 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2024', which marks ten years of efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi toward cleanliness and public hygiene. Faith leaders were a part of the cleanliness campaign, including representation from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, and Parsi communities. The day also saw participation by National Service Scheme volunteers and residents. The event brought into the limelight how different communities joined hands to initiate cleanliness and further sustainable living in India. As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign, the "pledge for cleanliness," participants pledged to clean not only public spaces but also private spaces back home and in the workplace; the theme for 2024 read "Swabhav Swachhata—Sanskaar Swachhata." It's a decade since the Modi government launched the Swachh Bharat Mission. Its impact in transforming the face of sanitation and hygiene across the nation is immense. It has achieved one of its most important successes in the form of more than 12 crore toilets, raising toilet coverage to 100% from less than 40% before the launch of the mission. This huge leap has taken open defecation to never-before levels of decline with advantageous improvements in health and greater safety for women, particularly in rural locales. The Juhu Beach Cleanliness Campaign is the representation of efforts by the minority communities for support and enhancement of objectives offered by the Swachh Bharat Mission. As long as ten years have passed since the campaign started, the campaign has not only improved hygiene and sanitation issues but also had other important social and economic repercussions. It is said that studies show that the mission saved 60,000 to 70,000 children annually by cutting the death rates linked to poor sanitation diseases, and even families in rural households save a lot on healthcare costs due to adequate sanitation conditions. Later, the event brought the issue of employment opportunities developed through the Swachh Bharat Mission to the limelight. Millions of toilets and latrines have employed 1.25 crore people in different sectors. On the contrary, the mission has supported the development of clean-tech startups in the country. More than 5,000 companies are working toward environmental sustainability and public hygiene so far. The initiative led by the IMF truly went beyond physical cleanliness in terms of eradicating waste, as it contributed to promoting social and mental cleanliness. It will promote the culture of "clean thoughts" and the unification of society. Thus, by supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission, the IMF, along with the religious leaders participating in the campaign, conveyed an influential message about inclusive national pride and a commitment to India's future. The cleanliness campaign is a part of the IMF's ongoing 'Sewa Pakhwara' initiative, the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign. Founded by Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor of Chandigarh University, this organization works towards instilling patriotism and national pride among the minority communities of India. It focuses on encouraging minorities to become more active participants in civic life and emphasizes common history and culture for all Indians. Conclusion: The cleanliness drive spearheaded by the IMF in Mumbai brought together the best of people from all walks of life, targeted at symbolizing the collective movement of India toward a cleaner, healthier, and unified nation. Sanitation, public health, and social unity will form cornerstones in India's march toward sustainable development in the years to come as the Swachh Bharat Mission evolves. Source: PTI